Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was on hand with a prophetic three-word prediction prior to his Anfield departure as he forecast “even more” success for the Reds following his exit.
Many observers had predicted a potential downturn in results for the club he left behind following his decision to leave at the end of last season. After transforming the Merseysiders during his time in the hotseat, many supporters feared that the legendary German coach would leave an impossible void to fill after his resignation.
However, his successor is now closing in on securing the Premier League title at the first time of asking following a historic maiden campaign in L4. Liverpool finished last season in third place after its tilt at the top flight crown de-railed during the business end of the season.
Defying pre-season odds, Arne Slot has led the Reds to within a point of clinching the championship – which they will win if they secure a point or more against Tottenham at Anfield this weekend. With Liverpool now tantalizingly close to ending a 35-year wait for a league crown won in front of a packed crowd at their famous old ground, Klopp’s parting words now feel more accurate than ever.
Speaking during the closing scenes of the Amazon documentary in question, he talked supporters through his thought process as he left his office at the club’s AXA Training Centre for a final time. He addressed the camera, saying: “I left my office for the last time.
“I will be fine, and more importantly the club as well, because you saw the team now, that’s a bunch of really good people, and they will be fine, or even more,” he continued. “Somebody will come in, full of dreams, full of energy, full of excitement and full of new ideas, rightly so, and lead the club into that future. It’s great.”
(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
As for Liverpool head coach Slot, he revealed that he is keeping a level-head, despite joining predecessors Klopp, Kenny Dalglish, Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly in delivering a title success. He said: “I enjoyed it a lot when Feyenoord won the title – but I don’t go crazy.
“It wasn’t like I ran three times around the stadium. I was just very, very happy inside and I shared my emotions with the people around me and the fans. But I will never be the one who is the loudest nor the weirdest in the moment. I’m not like that.”
Assessing the historic significance of his achievements, he said: “It is for other people to judge. It would be a bit weird to judge myself, but I can judge the performance for my staff and the medical staff – and they should get a lot of credit over the course of the season. If you start to work here, then quite quickly you get a certain feeling. I feel part of it.”
As for assuming hero status on Merseyside, the Dutchman admitted: “To say I am a Scouser now would be too much. The good thing about the people here is that they welcome you from the start and you feel part of them. But it would be weird if I said after 10 months that I feel the same as people who have lived here for 30 or 40 years. Ask me after 10 years.”
